UMass Amherst, Asian Arts and Culture Program

Ragamala Dance's Song of the Jasmine is a new work conceived by co-artistic director/choreographer/dancer Aparna Ramaswamy and created in collaboration with jazz saxophonist/composer Rudresh Mahanthappa. Aparna's and Rudresh's bicultural identities have influenced their artistry in significant yet distinct ways. Aparna's work re-frames the specificity of Bharatanatyam, bringing her own voice to the contemporary stage while Rudresh merges South Asian/Western traditions in a manner that transcends previous notions of fusion in jazz composition.